Asian Carp Monitoring
in Western Lake Erie
Although the major wild populations of two species of Asian carp (bighead and silver) are still thought to be limited to the Mississippi basin, bighead carp were collected in Lake Erie in 1995 and 2000 and reported (unconfirmed) in 2002 and 2003. They were also discovered in the Ohio River in 2002 in close proximity to the Lake Erie watershed. Since 2004, the LGLFRO has monitored western Lake Erie in Sandusky and Toledo, OH using trammel nets in response to these discoveries. So far, we have yet to collect either species. The isolated collections were most likely a result of release by consumers from the live food fish industry. In 2007, the LGFRO plans to continue this early detection study. New sampling techniques (electrofishing) will be used to monitor different habitats. Electrofishing will allow protected embayments, harbors and habitat not reachable with trammel nets to be sampled. Trammel nets will still be deployed when feasible or used in conjunction with electrofishing as performed in the Mississippi basin. The LGLFRO will continue distribution of copies of an Asian carp poster (pdf-401KB) purchased in FY2004 to bait shops, marinas, and state agencies along the Lake Erie shoreline. New Asian carp WATCH cards will also be purchased in 2007. This proactive approach will support and facilitate prevention, early detection, and monitoring efforts. If you would like a poster or a supply of WATCH cards, contact the office at (716) 691-5456. For more information about Asian carp, please visit:
- http://www.anstaskforce.gov (Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force)
- http://www.asiancarp.org (Official website for Asian carp plan development)
- Jumping carp videos (Videos of Asian carp jumping out of the water creating hazards to boaters)
